This South Korean horror flick is unnerving and unsettling – but all for the wrong reasons.
Fans who are expecting a good dose of scares and twisted storylines featured in previous memorable films like Wishing Stairs and A Tale of Two Sisters will be sorely disappointed.
The horror film is the 5th installment in the popular “Whispering Corridors” franchise, and it tells the tale of four high school girls – Unjoo, Soy, Eugene and Eun-young – who seal their bond of friendship together with a blood pact. They promised to stay as friends forever, and only till death do they part.
But what happens when one of them apparently commit suicides? Their ‘blood pledge’ is broken, and – cue the shrilling violins and loud booms – let the ghastly encounters begin.
It is evident, however, that Asian horror nowadays have deteriorated to the point of employing the same old bloody (pardon the pun) tactics to derive a shock response from the audiences. But what is ultimately unforgivable for this film is that it is unapologetically predictable, while mind-bogglingly un-frightening at the same time.
The sloppy transitions of zipping between flashbacks and present time is jarring, and moments of total ridicule – like one involving a side character’s mother dying Final Destination style in a Mercedes – leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth. It doesn’t help, either, that the director relies on an often in-your-face ghost to up the shock factor.
But out of all the faults, credit must still be given to the competent cast of young girls. Their committed performances anchor the emotions of a present group of troubled youths who are forced to grow up too fast in a society where they are still learning how to fit in.
The final act was at least riveting and endearing enough to sit through. But it still felt like it was a little too late.
Rating: 2.0/5
Director: Lee Jong-yong
Starring: Oh Yeon-seo, Son Eun-seo, Song Min-jung
Distributed by: Encore Films
By Wilson Ng
The Blood Pledge opens in cinemas 15th July 2010.
2 Responses to “Movie Review: The Blood Pledge”
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Very much agreed.
I was expecting more from this because the other movies had up-to-standard scare tactics. But this failed terribly.
That scene in the car was superfluous.
Disappointed.
Actually I find this movie not bad . Something different from other horror movie you usually and I actually like this one . Maybe because it’s a korean movie or something but I think this movie really worth my money .